September 6, 2011

Making Paper FlowersMaking paper flowers is a fun craft activity for young and old alike. They can be very simple in their design or much more complex. This is a page about making paper flowers.

 

Cleaning Teflon This is a page about cleaning Teflon. Many of us have Teflon coated cookware. Cleaning these pots, pans, and bakeware must be done with the appropriate cleaners so as not to damage the coating.

 

What to Do if You Lose Your Purse or WalletThis is a page about what to do if you lose your purse or wallet. In the age of identity theft, losing your purse or wallet can be a frightening experience. It is important to act fast and know the proper steps to take.

 

Finding a First JobThis is a page about finding a first job. Finding a job when you have never worked before can be daunting. You will need to know where to look, how to apply and how to present yourself.

 

Growing Lily-of-the-ValleyThis is a page about growing lily-of-the-valley. Lily-of-the-valley can be a great choice to use as a ground cover. These delicate little white flowers also grow quite well in shade gardens and have a lovely fragrance.

 

Cleaning a ZesterLemon, lime or orange zest is useful in many recipes but the kitchen tool can be difficult to clean when done. This is a page about cleaning a zester.

 

Starting an Antique BusinessThis is a page about starting an antique business. Antique furniture, dishes, curios and nicknacks can often be found for little or nothing and then sold for a lot of money.

 

Saving Money on a RefrigeratorThis is a page about saving money on a refrigerator. Buying a refrigerator is a necessary but expensive investment. There are a lot of options to consider when making your purchase.

 

Storing NectarinesThis is a page about storing nectarines. Nectarines are the smooth skinned cousin to the peach and are a popular summer fruit but they don't last long unless stored properly.

 

Sewing Your Own CurtainsThis is a page about sewing your own curtains. Making your own curtains allows you to choose from a myriad of fabrics, colors, and styles. It also can save you money.

 

Repairing a Book's BindingThis is a page about repairing a book's binding. Whether an old and prized hardcover book or a inexpensive paperback, books occasionally need to have the binding repaired or replaced.

 

Potato SquaresSuper easy!

 

Avocado Salad DressingHere's a great way to add the wonderful avocado flavor to a salad without actually adding them sliced or diced.

 

PopsiclesKids love these!

 

Leftover Rotisserie Chicken and DumplingsThese easy, filling chicken dinners have been a staple at our dinner table since our boys were in their teenage years with voracious appetites.

 

Beef StroganoffOne of my favorites! Love this over noodles!

 

Cucumber Jello SaladGreat way to use those cucumbers from the garden.

 

Opening Jars With ArthritisI have rheumatoid arthritis and so have a lot of trouble opening jars. I have found that running some hot water over the jars for a couple of minutes really helps. My family often tighten the lids very tight, and I get tired of asking someone to open them for me.

 

Cleaning a JuicerI've found the easiest way to clean my juicer is to use a plastic shopping bag in the cup that catches the "grindings" to save or freeze for baking. Then I take apart the juicer and rinse every part with warm water using a veggie brush immediately after using.

 

Caring For Hair Appliances And AccessoriesTaking care of hair appliances is important considering how much we pay for things some use daily. When the occasion arises and I need mine, nothing is more frustrating than if it is not working properly.

 

Use Syringe To Refill Travel Tubes Of LotionI have a 2 oz tube of lotion that is perfect for carrying my purse. Instead of purchasing a new travel tube whenever I've used up the lotion, I refill it from the larger tube/bottle I already have on hand which may be located anywhere else in the house.

 

Keeping an Inventory of Possessions in Case of DisasterKnow what you have before a disaster strikes by putting down on paper everything you have with serial numbers, make, and manufacturer. You can also take pictures of your items so they can be referred to if something should happen.

 

Garden: "No Name" RoseThis rose was sold without a name tag for 99 cents, and I just love the color. It was in a box marked "yellow". And since that what I was looking for, I picked out one that looked healthy.

 

Wildlife: Baby Lizard (France)Here is a baby lizard my sister-in-law and I saved from her swimming pool in France. We were watching it frantically look for its mother before it fell into the pool.

 

Recording Email Addresses and PasswordsI have found that it is best to keep a hard copy of my e-mail address book and user names and passwords, just in case of computer loss or my memory failure. I use a 3 by 5 inch spiral notecard book.

 

Look for Small Local Charity GroupsI support a local project called Project Love and Care. It was started by one lady after the police knocked on her door in the middle of the night with 2 of her grandchildren. Ann doesn't like her group to be called a charity, but it runs on donations.

 

Wildlife: ButterflyI caught a picture of this beautiful butterfly in my garden. She spent the better part of the morning going from bloom to bloom on my butterfly bush. I really feel grateful to have the chance to watch her for so long.

 

Wildlife: Deer at Bays Mountain Park (NE...Having a picnic at the park. This deer came up to us and took our food.

 

How to Grow Gorgeous Bell PeppersBell peppers are easy to grow, nearly pest and disease-free, and they produce a lot of yield in a small amount of space. You can either buy transplants locally, or start seeds yourself. Here are the basics of what you need to know to get started.

 

Buying a LaptopThere are lots of things to consider when buying a laptop. Some are simple while others are not so much.

 

In Memory of Baby (Persian Cat)Our cat Baby was so beautiful. But she was also timid about cameras, and she knew I was a camera "bug." So I was very pleased to catch her in this pose one day.

 

Rent Camp Cabins For Family ReunionSeveral years ago, I planned a large family reunion at our state church camp. We rented the cabins with cots only for a nominal cost.

 

Traveling Activity Kit for KidsWhen you get tired of hearing "how far is it now" pull this kit out to entertain them for a while longer. You can personalize it to suit your children or grandchildren.

 

Using Recycled Hoses For Drip IrrigationMost gardeners have hoses that leak. At times I've moved around 200 feet of hose, watering my flower beds and garden, invariably all the pulling creates weak hoses. I take those old hoses and add more holes along the whole length of hose about a foot apart.

 

Keeping Pets CoolThis tip works for both dogs and cats, although cats aren't as happy about it. When the temps rise as they have this summer, keep some wet bandanas in the freezer. When the temps start to soar, tie one around the neck of your pet.

 

Scenery: Sope Creek Park (Marietta, GA)This picture was taken in Marietta, Georgia at Sope Creek Park. There are 16 miles of hiking trails and I've been lost on every one of them. I love the creek and it was by far my favorite place to take my dogs hiking.

 

Method For Getting Rid of Fruit FliesWe combined several methods we read about on this site and added some of our own. Modifying a suggestion by an anonymous contributor, we prepared three traps.

 

Rubbing Alcohol For Cleaning A DiscPut a little rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball and wipe the disc clean. Air dry.

 

Peeling PeachesThe best way to peel peaches, especially if you have a lot of them, is to boil some water and drop them gently into the hot water with a slotted spoon. Let them stay in the hot water for about 1 minute, pull them out, and cool them under cold running water.

 

Choosing a Good CharityI choose a good charity by having a local and personal touch. Are they helping my neighbors? Your local church should be a great place to help your community. A good organization should give most of what you give to those in need and not to their pay checks.

 

Removing Burnt Smell from Sheet Music?How would you get odors off of old sheet music?

 

Rolling Spindles Exercise Machine?I saw this post by chance on this site while Googling "rolling spindles machine" and would love to find out if the person that posted it found the machine, what it's actually called and the price.

 

Musty Smell on Clothing?I have some cotton shirts that were stored in the basement for 18 years. How do I get that smell out of them? I did soak them in borax and then in a lemon/water mix, but they still smell.

 

Flying Insects in Refrigerator After Power Outage?My refrigerator was off for several days and food spoiled. Now there are these tiny flying insects in the refrigerator that I cannot get rid of. Help!

 

Nail Fungus Remedy?What do I do to get rid of a nail fungus? I have tried tea tree oil, bleach, and hydrogen peroxide.

 

Freezing Vesuvio Potatoes?I made them for a party and have a lot left over. Can I freeze them?

 

Kenmore Dishwasher Do Not Always Fill With Water?My Kenmore dishwasher model 665 doesn't fill with water, sometimes. The next day I'll put it on and it fills right up. What is the matter with this? Anyone have this situation? Thank you.

 

Repairing the Finish on a Porcelain Bathtub?Two spots have appeared in my bathtub again where the white porcelain finish is gone. I previously used a product I bought at either Home Depot or Lowe's (can't remember which one!). While it was gloppy and I was not able to paint it on smoothly, it did cover the spots for about 2 years.

 

Cold Air Coming Through Ducting?I have a propane furnace that sits in my attached garage. I have a crawl space under the house and this is where the duct work is located. My return duct work is in the attic. In the winter when the furnace is not running I feel cold air coming through the vents.

 

Assembling a Crochet Baby Sweater?Does someone have a step by step instruction on how to assemble a 5 piece crocheted baby sweater? There is a back piece, two front panels, and 2 sleeves. Thank you.

 

Powdery Mildew on Squash Leaves?This is the second summer I've grown zucchini and yellow squash in my garden. Both years the leaves become covered with powdery white mildew. Eventually the bottom leaves die and the new leaves soon become mildewy as well.

 

1980s-1990s Weight Watcher Books?Is there anyone willing to send me copies of the old Weight Watcher books from the late 80s and early 90s? Do you have any suggestions where I can find these older editions?

 

Tofu Recipes?Anyone have recipes with tofu? I have no idea what to do with it.

 

Making Feather Barrettes?I am making feather barrettes. I need to make some denim very stiff, today. I am hoping to make homemade starch for this part. Any suggestions for making a strong starch?

 

Replacement Seal for Gott Cooler?I own a Gott cooler model #1526 and need a seal for the lid so that it will not leak when it is in the car and gets knocked over. It is a 2 gallon size, blue in color with a white lid. Is there a local place around here to get a seal for it?

 

Growing Food Commercially in a Greenhouse?I have a new 1400 sq. ft. greenhouse (not a kit) that has just been finished. I want to grow fruits and vegetables commercially and I do have a lot in mind, but I need to have some input from your readers since they all seem to have good level advice.

 

Growing Huperzia Serrata?I would like to know how to grow Huperzia serrata.

 

Homemade Alternative to BioKleen Bac-Out for Cloth Diapers?I use BioKleen Bac-Out to neutralize the urine smell in my cloth diapers. I am looking for a homemade alternative so I can save some money. Thanks for any suggestions!

 

Removing Rust on Inside of Washer Door?How do I clean the rust off the inside of a clothes washer door?

 

Part of a Circuit Stopped Working?What would cause some outlets and lights to quit working while other ones on the same breaker still work? We tried resetting the breakers even though none had tripped. None of the lights or outlets have a GFI that might have tripped.

 

Canned Peaches?I canned 7 jars of peaches using the water bath method. Only one jar does not have floating peaches. They are all sealed, I had them in the boiling bath for 30 minutes. I used the light syrup recipe. Will they be OK to eat in the winter?

 

Freezing Beets?Can I freeze beetroot?

 

Cleaning Glass Shower Doors?My husband and I use a squeegee every time we use the shower, but it leaves rubber marks on the glass that are hard to get off. This is a brand new squeegee. What are we doing wrong and what is the best daily way to keep the shower door clean?

 

What Can I Make With These Ingredients?I have scallops, lemon, orange peppers, chicken stock, garlic, and pasta. What can I make with this?

 

Name Ideas for a Cleaning Business?I am a 23 year old, and I am looking into starting a house cleaning business with my friend, Mary. We both enjoy keeping our own homes sparkling clean and are very organized people. We are just having a hard time coming up with a good name. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

 

Shelf Life of Eggs?What is the latest that eggs kept in the refrigerator are safe to eat? I get rid of them by date stamped on the container. My neighbor says I'm throwing out perfectly good eggs.

 

Recipe for Cucumbers in Vinegar?I need a recipe for cukes and vinegar. Thanks.

 

Receiving Disbursements from an IRA?I am 70 now; how do I start drawing from my IRA account?

 

Remedy for Smelly Water? We have rotten egg water. When we wash our hair it still smells like the water does. Anyone have any ideas on how to get the smell out?

 

Kitchen Decor Theme Ideas?My kitchen walls are a butter color and the counter tops are dark brown and gold. The cabinets are a walnut color. What theme would look good?